The Museu Marítim (Maritime Museum) in Barcelona is certainly one of the most interesting sights. The museum is fitting in the former shipyards of Drasannes accommodated. The museum is located at the southern edge of the Old Town and at the end of the Rambla.

The permanent exhibition at the Museu Marítim in Barcelona

In the Drasannes were built in the 13 until 18 Century war and merchant ships  The construction of the shipyards was Barcelona's naval supremacy throughout the Mediterranean expansion. It could take up to 30 galleys simultaneously in the built vaults. From 1792, the Drassanes are used as barracks.
Since 1929, the permanent exhibition is at the Maritime Museum and shows the maritime history of Catalonia, the museum moved in the Gothic building in 1936. In several steps then the buildings were restored, so that it now has an exhibition area of more than 10,000 sq metres.

Ships

Certainly the highlights of the Maritime Museum exhibited include the vessels. Especially noteworthy is the faithful reproduction of a galley from the 16th Century. The 60-meter-long royal galley Admirals of the Juan de Austria was in the Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571 involved in which the Turkish Armada was defeated. On the galley rowed 236 people in 59 rowing boat.

In Port Vell, about 500 meters from the museum buildings, is the three-mast schooner Santa Eulàlia, which also can be viewed. This was launched in 1919 and is a typical merchant ship of that time.

Several other boats of different categories, from simple wooden fishing boat to a wooden submarine to racing boats are issued.

The model collection

With the same care and building technology as well as the big ships were built, one has even at times of the naval supremacy of Barcelona on the Mediterranean witnessed original models of ships. This happened e.g. for training and testing purposes. Most models of the collection were made in the 19th Century. Often the ships as originals no longer exist, so that the models provide valuable information on the design, technology and capacity of ships of all eras.

The collection of navigational instruments

The Museu Marítim has a remarkable collection of navigational instruments, which are especially served for navigation. Most instruments are from the period of 18 to 20 Century and show the development of the sextant, depth gauge and many other navigational tools.

Collection of Gallions figures

The Gallionsfiguren should have always been the safe sailing ships sail through the seas. The main part of the collection comes from Catalan sailing ships of the 19th Century.

Owners of the Barcelona Card receive reduced admission.

Here you will find the Maritime Museum on the map of Barcelona.